He was pale and silent. He only made a
pretence of eating; they were both glad when the meal was over.
There was a moment of awkwardness when they rose from the table.
"I am tired," Christine said when he asked if she would care to go to
the drawing-room for a little while. "I should like to go to bed."
"Very well." Jimmy held out his hand. "Good night." He looked at her
and quickly away again. "I will come round in the morning."
She raised startled eyes to his face.
"You are not staying here then?"
He coloured a little.
"No; I thought you would prefer that I did not. I shall be at my
rooms--if you want me."
"Very well." She just touched the tips of his fingers. The next
moment she was walking alone up the wide staircase.
She never slept all night. Though she had felt tired at the end of her
journey, she never once closed her eyes now.
She wished she had not come. She hated Jimmy for having persuaded her;
she hated Gladys for having practically told her that it was her duty
to do as he wished; she hated Jimmy afresh because now, having got her
to London, he had gone off and left her.
She did not choose to believe that he had really done so because he
thought she would prefer it. She felt lonely and deserted; tears
welled into her eyes.
"A second honeymoon!" What a farce it all was.
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